Ask Who Gives A Dram

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Much had changed on Adumar since the days Caelestis and Sah’ra had made their appearance there, so many years ago. House Dram had managed to consolidate power and remove the Queen from her throne, installing the head of their own family until it had passed on to the eldest son, Osca. This would not, could not be allowed to continue but even the mole Sah’ra had dispatched to the world to influence the young and coddled Perator had fallen silent. Outside of the sparse reports she had received from the Champion, much of what had transpired on Adumar remained shrouded in mystery. For now, the world remained unaligned yet friendly with the Empire. In time, this would need to be swayed but for now it was a necessary relationship to maintain.

With her planet-side operative dead and resources running thin, it was time to send some new blood to the world. She had concocted a plan; one that would gift her the scope of influence on the world she required yet would raise very little in the way of suspicion, so long as it was executed properly. Yet for this to work, it was imperative that she remained in the shadows during its implementation. There were few in the galaxy she trusted to pull of what she had planned but together, the two she had selected stood a chance.

Sat at her desk aboard the space station under her control, hidden away in the Unknown Regions situated just beyond the Chiss Ascendency territories, Sah’ra had summoned both Cyutadakyr and the Pirate Captain Zha’kar to her office. For the moment it was only the Sith and the Twi’lek as she flipped through the pages of the ancient tome in silence, which was soon broken as Zha’kar received a transmission from the hangar.

“She has arrived, m’lady,” the Twi’lek woman reported as she butted out her cigarra against the arm of her chair. Blue eyes flicked away from the text briefly, a detectable flare in her nostrils as her pupils narrowed on the burn mark. Working with pirates was unsavory, their lack of couth irritating, but the Twi’lek had proven useful in the past.

”Good. Have some of your men escort her here with haste. The sooner you two are off, the better,”

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Cyutadakyr knew little of Adumar nor the houses that sat upon its throne, nor the importance that any of this had to Master Ryun. However, discovering this importance and thus determining its value would be worth its weight in gold as the Sith Champion continued to plot and plan her own future ascension in the shadows. After all, one of the most valuable currencies was knowledge and Sah'ra guarded hers more fiercely than most.

As if to prove the point, the pureblood had been given instructions to meet in some nondescript location in the middle of nowhere, she wondered if even the force knew where they lay hidden so very far away from other life. It didn't take long for the master's guards to arrive and offer an escort, and without a word spoken she accepted.

Shortly thereafter arriving at the entrance of an office, the lead guard waved the door open and announced the champion's arrival. Cyutadakyr smiled, holding in laughter at how very proper and secretive it was before her eyes caught sight of the bluish beauty beside Sah'ra. "I wasn't aware we were bringing snacks, Master Ryun." Even saying it aloud sounded weird, given how recently they had been equals. But if anyone had earned the promotion it had been her, even if it meant that technically she outranked her now.

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As Cyu entered the office, Sah’ra was still deeply entranced by the tome she had before her as she carefully flipped through it’s pages with gloved fingers. She had heard the Pureblood, her incessant need for insolence was forever on display, but as she made her comment she would see Zha’kar turn her head to face her more fully with a devilishly playful smirk partnered with a wink as she crossed her arms in her seat.

Glancing up from her reading material, Sah’ra caught the flirtatious interaction and scowled before closing the text and leaning back in her chair. Through the bond they now shared, Sah’ra could peer into Cyu’s mind, as could she into hers, though Sah'ra had been spending time on further developing the fortitude to keep others at bay. She had come to learn the Pureblood was not the base-driven creature she had once surmised her to be, but even so there were primal desires within the Champion that never seemed to be tamed. ”Play with her later, if you must,” Sah’ra communed with her telepathically, only a slight hint of resentment that even she did not entirely understand present.

”Cyutadakyr. Thank you for answering my summons,” Sah’ra spoke aloud, keeping the Pirate Captain in the dark of whatever words were spoken beyond her scope. ”Please,” With a wave of her hand, the chair beside Zha’kar would pull away from the pirate ever so slightly, angling in a way that would promote equal discussion amongst the three. ”Sit,” she finished, her tone switching from hospital to dominant.

”Tell me, what kind of experience do you have with subterfuge and extortion?” Sah’ra asked of the Pureblood before lifting her glass of wine to her lips.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

A subtle shift in her shoulders would be the only hint given outwardly regarding the purebloods intentions of the pirate captain. Naturally, Sah'ra saw right through the facade, but Cyu would say nothing as she sat before the pair. The question posed revealed the first clue about why they had been summoned, although she could only grasp around the edges for now.

Cyutadakyr returned an ambiguous glare, quite fully aware that she didn't really have to say anything. Her mind briefly flickered back to that day before the wyrm and library, wasn't that a form of extortion?, she thought with an internal smile. "A queen falls, a king borne from a pawn." A riddle for their companion which was entirely nonsense at first glance until the pureblood harkened back to her little adventure on Zygerria where the Sith had orchestrated the assassination and replacement of the reigning monarch in favour of another who would look more after their interests. Better still, the profits that flowed from that arrangement helped continue to rebuild the order since then not to mention their seizure of a shipload of some very personal effects the new king wouldn't want anyone finding.

Those memories were shuffled through like pages in an open book, for Sah'ra to enjoy before Cyu decided to speak more plainly. "I have also worked with others to both subtly shift the balances of power behind the scenes, and overtly dominate them, depending on what the mission calls for."

Glancing back towards the other woman, Cyutadakyr wondered where she might fit into whatever this task would be. Worse, whether she'd also slow them down. Despite whatever plans she could fathom for later, the pureblood wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she became problematic.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

“A queen falls, a king borne from a pawn,”

Sah’ra didn’t even attempt to suppress her lips twisting into a smirk as Cyu made her comment, one that was only too true. It was ironic, given that such a situation was exactly what had led to this meeting. The painting within soon became clear as the Sith witnessed the recollections that the Pureblood offered from her memories on Zygerria. Indeed, she was well versed in the games they would need to play if this was to be orchestrated properly. That in itself allowed her to breathe easier.

”Good,” Sah’ra replied simply, taking another sip of wine before placing the glass back on her desk. Blue eyes moved between Cyu and Zha’kar before a hand lifted, two glasses from the cabinet at their side lifting from the shelf and moving towards the desk they sat around, partnered with the Juvexian Red she had been sampling herself, waving for them each to partake if they so wished.

”Adumar was once a world deeply involved in the Empire, providing the Kingdom of Avillion with much needed munitions and starcraft before the collapse. Since then, the Dram family has claimed the throne and brought the world back to an isolationist stance, offering an opportunity,” Sah’ra explained as she leaned back in her seat, carefully watching the pair over clasped hands. The memory of her placing Queen Nefri on the throne flashed through her mind, the head dress she had worn on the occasion clearly visible for Cyu to observe.

”King Osca, a usurper by all rights, has so far maintained their neutrality, though I fear in time he may seek the security the new ‘Empire’ has to offer. I would like you both to travel to Adumar, your true identities concealed in whatever manner you deem appropriate. Royal families often soil their hands with private atrocities. Discover Osca’s skeletons within his closet. Fabricate them, if need be, but the new ‘King’ must be reminded that neutrality will serve him more favorably than tying himself to our enemies,”

Sah’ra paused briefly to take a sip from her wine, savoring the flavor before looking directly to Cyutadakyr. ”Simultaneously, I would like my gem back,” she spat, the fact that her first alchemic creation now likely collected dust in some royal museum clearly a source of ire. Cyu would see the moment she removed the precious gemstone from her headdress to give to Queen Nefri so long ago, the instrument in which she was able to pull the monarch’s strings. ”I lived on Adumar for far too long. My face is known to both nobles and commoners alike. This is why I must rely on those I can trust rather than going myself. Of course, I do not expect you to do this simply by right of my position, Cyu. Aid me with Adumar and you will have my assistance in unifying your people, just as she demanded,” she finished with a sly smile offered to the Pureblood.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Adumar sounded like a bore-fest with complicated histories and politics. The fact that Sah'ra had failed to protect her little pet queen was a black mark on her record and perhaps the reason that she was taking the subsequent usurpers ploy so personally. Would the Sith Master likewise be so carefree when it came to Cyu herself? making grand promises before forgetting about them to leave one to fend alone against their enemies.

"Did Queen Nefri have family, or anyone that would care that she is gone?" the pureblood inquired. Not that Sah'ra had explicitly said that the queen had been murdered, although it made sense for the incoming monarch to ensure that his enemies would have no one to rally behind against his rule. "What do you know of this new King and how do we get acquainted?" she didn't like going into this blind, but perhaps they would have to.

Her eyes swirled thinking of them gem. That was a far similar task and she had no further questions on this topic, simply nodding.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra, during her time as one of Nefri’s Advisors, had often pushed for the young Queen to birth heirs. Perhaps if she had, much of what had transpired could have been avoided. Alas, she did not. ”After the passing of her father, the only family that remained was Nefri and her younger brother, Idul. I would suspect they had both been executed. If they are alive and rotting in a prison cell, either could be of a great use to us,” she replied, though she didn’t garner much hope for the matter. Political coups, especially ones surrounding a monarchy, often led to death. Still, Cyu’s question did spark some potential routes they could take. ”Discover their fate while you are there. They could be valuable for a contingency plan if their hearts still beat,”

”As for Osca,” Sah’ra turned to Zha’kar, motioning for her to hand over the data she had collected. As the Twi’lek dug it from her pocket and flipped the datapad into the air, the Sith woman caught it with the Force and allowed it to gently set itself upon the desk before a projection of the young King’s face glowed between them.

”Pompous. Arrogant. A Sith spy had managed to find favor with him and they had even become engaged. Unfortunately, I have not received word from the woman and I suspect her identity had become known,” Sah’ra’s tone grew angered. Whatever had happened to Korra, she had failed. That was all she knew. ”As well, Osca has a brother serving the Empire. A General, no less. Influential and a threat. Should Osca be eliminated, his brother is next in line for the throne and from what I’ve come to understand, the pissant we have to contend with now is far more suitable than the one we could inherit. It is imperative that the King stays alive, Cyutadakyr,”

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The information that Sah'ra offered about the Queen and her family was intriguing, if they were alive they could be of use but the harsh reality of politics often meant that survival in such circumstances was slim to none. Fortunately relying on that wasn't the main part of the mission, and so she would simply keep it in the back of her mind should it ever come up again.

This Osca fellow was lucky that Master Ryun wanted him alive considering the way she described him. With an annoyed look, Cyu glared. "Why not kill the General then? his brother would be much more pliable without that armor to rely on." Of course, dealing with a small nobody world was one thing but striking out against the empire was another matter entirely even for the Sith. But even if it was a difficult task, that didn't mean that she was wrong.

"Alright, sounds like an easy job. Bully some idiot king and blackmail him without beating the life out of him. Anything else you need us to do?" By now she was acting coy, but the underlining understanding was clear.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Insolence was an expected attribute of the Pureblood by this point, evident by much of what she had to say in response. Sah’ra knew, however, that the choice of words were simply meant to goad a response from her rather than much else. ”Should you decide to open yourself to tribulations with the traitorous legions, might I suggest you do it when I am not involved, dear Cyutadakyr?” Sah’ra replied plainly while swirling the wine in the glass held in her finger tips, her eyes offering little more than a frosty gaze. ”In time, perhaps. For now we must act from behind the curtain that has been drawn upon us. Accumulate strength, wealth and legions of our own. Even then, when this is accomplished, my attention lies… elsewhere,” The galaxy believed the Sith defeated, weakened by their expulsion. One day they would recognize the error in this method of thinking. She was sure of it. First, certain hands needed to be dealt. ”Your shuttle is waiting for you both. I expect a report of your success in a timely manner,”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Adumar was much as Sah’ra had last seen it. The citizens of Cartann City had prospered under the reign of the Sith, but much of their success had been cultivated from fear. Fear that disloyalty to the Crown and, by extension, the Empire would result in terrors unimaginable. Now, with their freedom restored, much of the general population regarded it as essential to their survival. It wasn’t the common folk that retained the privilege to make such decisions, however.

The Sith Master had been spending much of her time practicing her craft, honing her skills with the knowledge that had been gained from the libraries of Krayiss. While she had told Cyutadakyr that Zha’kar would be accompanying her on this assignment, this would prove to be a falsehood. Instead, she had instructed the Twi’lek Pirate to remain behind and protect her interests on the space station. In the time that Cyu would have prepared for the expedition, Sah’ra had instead conducted a ritual that she had been practicing time and time again until she had nearly perfected it. At Cyu’s side was not the woman she believed but rather Sah’ra herself, a wolf disguised in sheep's wool. Zha’kar was here in appearance only.

”That’s the palace, dead ahead,” Sah’ra stated, pointing a blue finger towards the monumental structure. From where they stood in the city center, it was still just as dominating upon the horizon as one would expect a home of royalty to be. ”Shouldn’t be too difficult to dig up dirt on the priss, but you’re the one in charge. What’s the play?” Violet eyes fell on the Pureblood, a mischievous and sinister smirk forming. She had spent much of her past with people like Zha’kar, feigning her mannerisms was a simple matter. What was more difficult was taking the back seat and observing Cyu more openly when she was ‘not present’. Interesting, to say the least.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Nothing more needed to be said before their departure. The trip itself was rather uneventful, if not for the delightful hue sitting next to her. Cyu would do well to remember Sah'ra's promise that she'd get to play with the pirate later but depending on how the mission went, that varied between an exciting mutual affair to one that was completely one-sided.

The palace stood out like a sore thumb of stupid opulence and while it might serve as a valuable position on which to directly spy on the monarch, it was far from the most ideal to secure the type of information that she initially sought. "It's time you earned an honest wage, my dear." With a subtle nod across the ways, Cyu pointed out the nearby tavern for the pirate wench.

While it was still early in the evening, such places were often ones where secrets flowed as easily as the ale of which they poured. Posing as hired help, the pair would easily be able to access anywhere in the building and blend in to be ignored by the patrons. If there were any whispers of skeletons, it would be here that they'd find the first traces or trails of blood.

Feigning an embrace, the pureblood leaned in to whisper calmly in Zha'kar's ear. "I don't know you and I don't trust you. Slip up or betray me, and I'll suffocate you with your own innards. Got it?" Slipping back and with a charming smile now, she simply said aloud dragging her newfound friend along. "We don't want to be late now do we."

@Tulos